WASHINGTON, D.C. - Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) June 24 recognized the nation's top 2008 construction projects during its Excellence in Construction and National Safety Excellence awards celebration at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C.

"ABC is proud to honor these innovative merit shop construction projects and industry-leading firms with our Excellence in Construction award," said Kirk Pickerel, ABC president and CEO. "These award winners are outstanding examples of the exceptional craftsmanship and professionalism that embody merit shop construction."

The Excellence in Construction awards program is the industry's leading competition, developed to honor innovative and high-quality merit shop construction projects and safety programs. The award honors all construction team members, including the contractor, owner, architect and engineer. The winning projects, selected from entries submitted from across the nation, were judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, completion time, workmanship, innovation, safety and cost.

A panel of industry experts served as the competition's judges. This year's panel included representatives from the Design-Build Institute of America, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Surety & Fidelity Association of America, Engineering News-Record and representatives from higher education, among others.

2008 Award of Excellence Winners:

Electrical - Commercial - $2-$10 Million
Contractor: Gaylor, Inc.
Project: St. Francis Hospital Expansion, Mooresville, Ind.
Client/Owner: St. Francis Hospital
Architect/Engineer: St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers

Electrical - Industrial - Less than $2 million
Contractor: Triad Electric & Controls, Inc.
Project: ExxonMobil ULSD Project, Chalmette, La.
Client/Owner: ExxonMobil
Architect/Engineer: Jacobs Engineering

Electrical - Industrial - $2-$10 million
Contractor: Industrial Specialty Contractors, LLC
Project: Marathon Garyville Major Expansion (GME) Project - Temporary Power, Garyville, La.